Player of the Century (ATP Tour)

From the moment he won the Italian Open at the age of 17, Bjorn Borg sealed his reputation as one of the best matchplayers of his generation. A month later, he collected his first Grand Slam singles trophy at Roland Garros, a title he successfully defended in 1975 and won again in 1978, 79, 80, and 81. But although he made the French title his own, he is probably best remembered for winning Wimbledon five years in a row, 1976, 77, 78, 79, and 80 - the latter involving a final against John McEnroe which many regard as one of the finest matches ever played. Borg was also runner-up at the US Open in 1976, 78, 80 and 81. He chose not to journey to the Australian Open, and did not play again there after his debut in 1974.

Borg's time in the limelight was short but sweet

Borg's tally of 62 career singles titles is all the more impressive given his contemporaries, prolific winners like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Guillermo Vilas and includes two wins at the Masters in 1979 and 1980. The Swede was ranked World No.1 for 109 weeks in total between August 1977 and July 81, including for 46 weeks consecutively in 1980.

An early starter, Borg made his Davis Cup debut for Sweden in 1972, at the age of just 15 (and 11 months), and helped the team win the trophy in 1976 at home, when Borg played both singles and doubles in the final. He compiled a 45/11 win/loss record in Davis Cup singles play.

His game was characterized by consistent topspin groundstrokes, with a double-handed backhand. His technique was thought unorthodox at the time but it was certainly effective. He was strong and fast, and could rally tirelessly from the baseline, retrieving at speed and patiently waiting for the chance to attack. He could also volley efficiently, hence his exemplary Wimbledon record, but perhaps his greatest asset was his nerveless big match temperament.

With his long blonde hair and ice cool on court demeanor, Borg gave tennis an injection of glamour. He even caused a stir at Wimbledon, where interest in him reached such a fever pitch than organizers once wrote to girls schools in the area to ask them to keep their pupils in check when the Swedish heartthrob was playing.

But Borg's time in the limelight was short and sweet and he retired at the age of just 26, with 11 Grand Slam titles to his name. He tried three ill-fated comebacks in 1991, 92 and 93 before embarking on a far more successful second career on the Senior circuit, where he still plays today. This has enabled him to renew his rivalry with John McEnroe, whose on-court style contrasts so sharply with his own. The pair were tied at seven matches each when Borg retired from the main Tour at the end of 1981.

His legacy also goes on in his native Sweden, where his success sparked a tennis boom, kick-starting the careers of many, including Mats Wilander and Stefan Edberg, as well as inspiring a generation of today's Swedish pros like Thomas Enqvist, Jonas Bjorkman, and Magnus Norman.

Your Comments:

"He exemplifies grace and stability. A player who did not have to rely on power,he just had all the skill he could ever need"
USA

"Great poise. The best baseliner ever! A model of good sportsmanship"
Thomas Stewart
USA

"I consider Borg winning the 6 French and 5 Wimbledon titles on such different surfaces the most amazing tennis feat"
Steve Sadler
USA

"If he hadn't retired so early, he most definitely would have
won more Grand Slam titles"
Anil Khemchandani
USA

"He is the reason I play tennis"
Wojtek Serafin
Canada

"Simply he was the best in his own time in every part of the game"
Juuso Nousiainen
Finland